Reviews of safaris to South Luangwa National Park
942 holiday reviews from our travellers of holidays which include South Luangwa.
"Our holiday of a lifetime in July 2012"
I would highly recommend going to see the Victoria Falls, taking the longer helicopter ride (30 minutes) over it as you then fly down the gorges which is very exciting and helps you understand the formation of the landscape. The buffet breakfast at the Royal Livingston Hotel is also an experience not to be missed.
All the Zambians we met were so genuinely friendly we can not wait to return." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
"My Jul 2012 trip"
Malawi and Zimbabwe proved to be two great countries to combine on this trip. There were many similarities. We found the staff in the camps and the people we met along the way to be very friendly, helpful and interested in us. The high standards of our guides impressed us, from Chris the manager at Mkulumadzi who personally took us on a walk and on a boat up the Shire River, to Richard Chamwala at Mvuu who delighted in sharing all things big and small with us. In our book you can always tell the best guides when they like finding the little birds and bugs to point out, not just the hippos fighting 30 feet away from the boat, both of which Richard did.
Our guide Nduduzi Ndlovu at Camp Amalinda in Matobo Hills was great at listening to us and discovering our interests, as evidenced by the wonderful day we spent with him driving through the park and the local communal lands, visiting a school, and hiking up to a cave with ancient paintings. He not only knows 7 languages but also knows where to find a zonkey!
Even our drivers that took us from one camp to another (or to an airport) were excellent, like Mike from Wilderness Safaris who stopped the car several times so we could see and talk to people and who also helped me buy a tchenge (those colorful traditional fabrics that woman wear as a wrap) in a roadside market.
We went to both countries in the hope that our visit would encourage and support the conservation of wildlife and wild areas. We also came to really appreciate the people of these two countries, where life has not been easy but there is a great determination to carry on and do better.
Claire at Expert Africa, with assistance from Chris, shared many insightful comments from personal experience so that we came up with this list of places to visit that really suited us. As usual, all details were handled and executed perfectly on the ground. This is really saying something because we gave quite short notice of our desire to travel.
And next time I will really believe you when you say that it gets cold in July at night!" Read full review: 18 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zimbabwe safari
"My July 2012 Trip"
I talked to several travel agents in the US before deciding to work with Maruska. I had called Expert Africa to inquire about the small group trips on the Wild About Africa site. When I started questioning Maruska about the trips, it was immediately clear to me that she was the most knowledgeable agent I had talked to so far.
She efficiently helped me put together my dream trip to Africa, and also helped me to prepare for the trip. Many thanks to her for being unfailingly responsive to my many emails about the practical details of traveling in Africa (money, vaccinations, clothing, etc.).
I'm already looking forward to my next trip to Africa!
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No suggestions, as I felt that the service was outstanding." Read full review: 22 nights in Africa; 6 on a Zambia safari
"Another excellent trip to Zambia"
Ellie proved to be extremely knowledgeable about the areas we wished to visit and provided excellent feedback and alternative suggestions to our original thoughts.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
Not sure I can add anything other than to say, keep doing what you are doing, you are obviously very good at it and we would not look elsewhere if we intended to visit any of the countries covered the Expert Africa team." Read full review: 11 nights in Africa; 10 on a Zambia safari
"Zambia Trip 1-Jul to 16-Jul 2012"
In all of the camps there was a very cooperative effort on the part of the entire staff which resulted in a most exceptional stay.
Our discussions with Maruska during the planning were very helpful and proved to be particularly useful throughout the entire trip.
We have made four previous trips to Africa, but this was our first to Zambia.
All of these trips are part of the overall wonderful African experience.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No particular suggestions.......... stay with your current mode of operations." Read full review: 15 nights in Africa; 14 on a Zambia safari
"Zambia and Malawi were a great combination"
Expert Africa were superb in their efforts to make the trip as best as it could be for us. We heartily recommend them." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
"Zambia bush camp tour"
The camps the food, staff, everything was more than we expected we will never forget our wonderful time with Norman Carr safaris The only letdown was the quality of food at the Island of Sainkaba
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We are very happy with all you did for us, expensive but this was a holiday to remember thank you" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari
"South Luangwa with Norman Carr Safaris"
There was a lack of game in general which detracted from an otherwise excellent safari.
We were told there was a 14 day menu but we had same dinner on consecutive nights on two occasions which was disappointing. On one occasion the menu should have been fish and I suspect as my wife does not like fish the next days menu was prepared ather than making her a different dish. The last night was completely vegetarian, I wonder whether this was because some other guest(s) were vegetarians.
I bought with me two batteries and a charger with me for my camera. The limited time in which batteries could be re-charged during the middle of the day meant I could not leave the camera on during game drives and hence missed photo opportunties as the camera powered up and secondly I had insufficent power to review and delete photos between game drives. The solar power systems appear to be inadequate to service the charging to batteries and the rest of the camp.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
There was not enough emphasis on how sparse the game could be at this time of year by the Expert Africa staff. When we were there the guiding staff had a much more realistic view on what we might see." Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 11 on a Zambia safari
"South Luangwa Trip Jun 2012"
Once again, Ellie and Expert Africa had organised everything very well which meant that we had no worries about the connections between the camps and everything went very smoothly.
In retrospect, everyone preferred Tafika to Mwamba and all thought they would go back. We were disappointed with the Camp Out and all felt that it was Patrick who made Mwamba. Perhaps Mwamba was a little too rustic.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
We are very pleased with the high quality of service that you offer, and your personal knowledge of the camps." Read full review: 7 nights in Africa; 7 on a Zambia safari
"Norman Carr 2012"
As ever a very warm welcome from everyone there in all the camps and this was much appreciated.
One note, just a day before we arrived the currency switched from dollars to kwachas only, this wasn't a problem as there was an ATM at Lusaka airport. This does mean that taxes etc must now be paid in Kwachas.
Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:
No" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 9 on a Zambia safari
Where to stay in South Luangwa
Our suggestions for safari camps in South Luangwa National Park